You've Got Mail! Island Postal Center Can Help You Handle It!

Author: Teresa Fitzgibbons

Tired of those interminable lines at the post office? Frustrated with the hassle of wrapping packages to send to out-of-town family and friends? Searching for a unique gift for that special someone? If so, there’s a solution at the south end of the island. The Island Postal Center has provided personalized packing and shipping service for over 20 years.

“This business was here before the south end post office,” said owner Bob Cosgrove. The Island Postal Center offers several distinct advantages over the post office: service is faster, customers don’t wait in long lines, and several shipping options are available. The Island Postal Center is authorized to ship via UPS, FedEx, and DHL (formerly Airborne). In addition, their experienced staff can provide professional packing and wrapping to guarantee that precious photos or paintings and fragile treasures such as glass and china arrive at their destinations unscathed.

Both private and commercial mailboxes with 24-hour access are also available with all the traditional services like mail forwarding and holding. The Island Postal Center can accept packages from any shipper and affords customers with the extra security that comes with knowing all box holders by name. High-frequency shippers will appreciate the convenience of a monthly account, allowing them to simply drop off items and addresses while The Island Postal Center takes care of the rest.

In addition, the Island Postal Center offers gift wrapping and sells boxes. “A lot of people don’t know it, but we sell boxes of all sizes, including garment and dish barrel boxes,” said co-owner, Kathy Cosgrove. Movers will also find bubble wrap, popcorn, packing tape and everything else they need. Those items that are too precious to be risked in a move can be trusted to The Island Postal Center. They’ll not only safely ship them, but they’ll even arrange to pick them up and package them for you.

“We’ve gradually started adding gifts,” said Kathy. Whether you have the time to browse or need a last minute present to ship, The Island Postal Center has a wide array of reasonably-priced gifts from which to choose. Plush stuffed animals, eclectic CDs, candles, oil lamps, prisms, and paperweights are among the offerings that line the shelves. The store also sells Giuseppe Armani sculptures and clocks by Rhythm.

Gourmet gift baskets, handmade by Kathy and filled with specialty snacks and tasty treats, are the newest addition. The high-end delicacies can also be purchased individually.

Other services include faxing, photocopying, and notarizing. Both Bob and Kathy are notary publics and donate the proceeds from notarizing to the Humane Society. The business is also the only JC Penny Catalog Center in Beaufort County; catalog customers can save considerably by having their merchandise shipped to the Island Postal Center.

Originally from Miami, Fla., the Cosgroves relocated to the island 13 years ago. As previous owners of several local businesses, they took over the Island Postal Center five years ago. The Cosgroves are quick to credit employee Shelly Blackwell for much of their store’s success. “She is the queen of customer service,” said Bob. “She could teach classes in it. We’re so fortunate to have her.”

Shelly Blackwell

Store hours are from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday. You can reach The Island Postal Center by calling 842-6040 or visit them at 50 Palmetto Bay Road or online at www.hhpostcenter.com.

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In September of 2006, Celebrate Hilton Head (CH2) burst onto the scene with a fresh perspective on Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and the surrounding Low Country. At the helm was a team of young women (all under 30!) with no experience whatsoever in the publishing industry. The first year they made up the rules as they went along. CH2 (and CB2 – Celebrate Bluffton and Beyond), has evolved into a well-respected publication with over 150 advertisers and a distribution to over 47,000 locals and visitors each month.

Content ranges from Interesting Islander profiles and arts and entertainment pieces to food and wine topics and Hilton Head and Bluffton Business Profiles. CH2’s Bachelor of the Year Contest has blossomed into a greatly anticipated media event every year with viral marketing (i.e., Facebook, Twitter) contributing to the annual readership of those issues pertaining to the contest and over 700 people attending the Bachelor of the Year party held every October held at a local Hilton Head or Bluffton entertainment spot.

CH2 strives to give back to the community in which they have been so successful by sponsoring charitable events in both Hilton Head Island and Bluffton (Bluffton’s MayFest, put on by the Bluffton Rotary), donating editorial space to worthy organizations (Bold Strokes, Volunteers in Medicine, March of Dimes), and making the Hilton Head Island Rec Center the recipient of monies raised in conjunction with the Bachelor of the Year Contest.